Alachua County - Phase II Level Drought
Due to continued drought conditions and a forecast that calls for lower than average rainfall in the months ahead, a Phase II Water Shortage has been declared for Alachua County. Phase II Water Shortage declaration expands voluntary water conservation measures and implements regulatory measures, including:
- Limiting landscape irrigation to only one day per week, keeping with the winter watering schedule.
- Prohibiting Homeowners Associations from requiring increased water use to meet aesthetic standards
- Restricting use of water for washing or cleaning streets, driveways, and sidewalks
- Restricting pressure cleaning to low-volume methods
- Limiting augmentation to what is necessary to preserve the integrity of surface water body and associated habitat
Keep Your Lawn Healthy While Conserving Water
During dry months, customers may fall into the trap of overwatering their lawns. To protect the state's limited water resources and prevent excessive irrigation, GRU customers are required to follow the restrictions set by the St. Johns River Water Management District. These mandatory rules will keep customers' yards healthy while helping them save money on their monthly utility bills.
Watering Restrictions
The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) is in charge of enforcing local irrigation restrictions. All rules apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water, and water from public and private utilities.
- Water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.: Up to 65 percent of water applied mid-day evaporates.
- Water for one hour or less per zone, up to 3/4-inch: Set a timer and place shallow cans in your yard to monitor volume.
- Water only on your scheduled day: See table below for more information.
Know Your Watering Day(s)
Each year, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 a.m. the first Sunday in November. Eastern Standard Time begins at 2 a.m. the first Sunday in November and ends at 2 a.m. the second Sunday in March.
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